Hitting the Nail on the Head - 03/31/10 08:25 PM
The new regulations for the banking industry on short sales have been a long time coming.  Working with the lenders for over six years on short sales has given our business some gasps, groans and triumphs.  When the lender is capable, it has been similar to working with a "regular" seller.  When the lender has been some of the banks who have now been "taken over" or gone out of business altogether, it has been a nightmare I would wish on my worst enenmy.  We have had our share of both.  And, yet, we continue to work with short sales.  Why?       … (7 comments)

Facebook "Games". Could you waste your time in any other way? - 03/15/10 09:39 PM
When you have nothing to do, nothing to do apparently matters.....take it from Bob...who has better things to do....

Via Bob Haywood, www.BobHaywood.com (McGraw Realtors):
If you're like me, you probably spent a lot of time on Facebook marketing yourself and selling houses.  If you're not on Facebook, you're missing an excellent resource for real estate marketing and farming.  But that's another discussion.
I noticed recently that one of my competitors is on Facebook a lot.  But they aren't on Facebook talking to people or posting their Active Rain blogs.  They're on there playing Farmville.  And you can tell from all their … (6 comments)

There is no Designation for Integrity - 03/14/10 10:17 PM
Another post by someone I consider to have a deeper grasp of the reality of realty.  I hope you enjoy this and give it some thought when you are dealing with realtors (or agents) and there is the distinction.  Realtors are held to a higher code of ethics.  And they act on it in most cases.  Read on.

Via JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate (Russell and Jeffcoat):
We as real estate professionals have a wide variety of designations at our disposal. Anything from Graduates of the Realtor Institute, to Certified Residential Specialists, to Certified Green Home Specialists. Any … (2 comments)

So You Want to Buy Investment Properties - Evaluate with me by David Monsour - 03/08/10 10:20 PM
David, is one smart realtor.  You want to read this...investors take note.  Even all you baby-boomers who want out of the sliding stock market and into the really best buy in town...real estate.

Via David Monsour (Prudential Bob Yost - Sites, Gettysburg, PA):
I've been given a project for my Broker class that will actually prove valuable to any consumer that desires to buy rental properties. 
The objective behind this project is to select an available rental property, gather the necessary information, and evaluate the property to see if it's worth purchasing at full price.
The second objective is purchase the … (2 comments)

Banks are their own worst enemy. I have seen the enemy. He is us! - 03/08/10 09:46 PM
I may not agree with everything Todd has put in this blog, however, it needs to be reiterated that the banking industry is the problem.  The speed and efficacy of their systems are the root of all the problems with a short sale.  They need to get their systems streamlined to make it easier for THEM to make money.  The debtor is not the problem, the debtor is trying all avenues to fix the problem to the best of their ability, usually.  However, the banks are their own worst enemy. 

Via Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) … (9 comments)

THE LATEST WORD FROM LENDERS ABOUT SHORT SALES - OR WAS IT? - 03/01/10 09:00 PM
Understanding how short sales get approval is essential to working the short sale for your seller.  This is an encylopaedic overview written by one of the best minds on Active Rain.  It is lengthy with its references but core to understanding how to best effect a short sale or to understand how the process works. 
Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:
MORE AND MORE SHORT SALE LISTINGS in your market???  SAME HERE. 
GET USED TO IT!  It's going to get worse before it gets better.
LIVE AUDIO CONFERENCE - NEW GOV'T SHORT SALE PROGRAM
Yesterday, I attended an … (0 comments)